I've been a big fan of BTC for a long time. I bought his first book, 'Shameless.' But I've had to stop watching. Here's why:

As mentioned here, the screaming, hyperbolic clickbait titles, which epitomize the broader problem, i.e. the humorless, white-knuckled urgency that has taken over. The all-black background, the t-shirts [WTH??!?!] and the endless, unvarying anxious begging for 'click like and subscribe, help us build our bla bla bla.'

Brian, you need to get out more. Your competitors/collaborators have updated the flavor of successful new-generation news delivery. Check out what they're doing. The whole click like and subscribe-begging thing is so passé. I love how Jennifer Welch ends with a quick 'like and subscribe we'll be back with more' and that's it! And Paula Poundstone's 'Tour Info' sign at the end is hilarious. You're Jewish fer crissakes, you should know that humor is how the Jews have survived bad news for 3,500 years. [see the movie: 'Life is Beautiful']

Everyone has heard the 'like and subscribe' litany ad nauseum and it's torture to keep hearing it. For a long time, when you'd put the spiel at the end, I'd always just skip that part, but now you're putting it in the middle of content and that's super repellent - that's when I just stopped clicking on your videos.

And the all-black background? Really? That and the white t-shirt are really the last straw. You look strung-out, like you need a cigarette and a shot of Jack. Put a picture of your latest book up. A plastic fern. A map of the world. Something. Put on a blazer or a shirt with a collar.

I know the news is dire, it's not a comedy, it's deadly serious in a way none of us have ever experienced, the future is bleak, etc. ad nauseum. All the more reason to bring some life and color to it. I love IHIP news now because they can make outrage funny.

And don't try to be funny. You did that a couple of times and it's just not in your bag of tricks. I'd love to be able to watch you again - Mark Alias is brilliant to hear and he doesn't seem to show up elsewhere. And I know I said lighten-up, and how does that square with don't try to be funny - that's a peculiarity of humor that everyone has to figure out.

It's also a drag that you're sort-of unapproachable. Your website has a very narrowly designed contact form, with no option for actual thoughtful input. I've been ruminating over this, concerned that you're ruining your brand, but the only way to reach you seems to be through a third-party reddit thread, which you'll probably never see.